Red Reishi

HOW AN ANCIENT HERBAL TREASURE

CAN BENEFIT YOUR HEALTH TODAY

World Health Publishing Inc.

330 - 1501 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C.
V6J 4Z6

Copyright©2003 by World Health Publishing Inc.

First Edition
ISBN: 0-9732103-2-X
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of
the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in connection with a review.

Author: Wong Shu Sing

Project Editor: Trevor Lai
Editorial Consultant: Brad K. Moy, M.D.
Art Director: Catmagic Animation Workshop
Cover Designer: Design Square
Printer: Leanne Communications Inc.

CAD$10.00
Printed in China
 Foreword

Reishi (also known as "Ling Zhi" in China) has been known

to the Asian world for over 2,000 years. Its miraculous health-
enhancing applications have been employed by Oriental cultures
for centuries, but have only been introduced to the Western world
in the last 30 years.

Reishi is the legendary wizard of all superior medicinal

herbs because of its apparent medical efficacy and the absence of
unfavorable side-effects and toxins resulting from consumption.
Because of its rarity in nature, reishi was reserved primarily for Asian
royalty and wealthy individuals until the late 20th century, when
cultivation of red reishi mushrooms by the Japanese made the once
rare fungi plant more widely available to the general populace
around the world.

This book provides an in-depth introduction on the history

and the medicinal value of the red reishi species. Reishi
mushrooms have been widely used by Chinese Traditional
Medicine (TCM) practitioners for ages as an alternative approach to
health and treatment modalities. However, such an approach has
not been widely endorsed by Western medicine due to the lack of
extensive research by those practitioners. A growing number of
Western medical doctors and researchers are now working to
better understand herbal therapies such as red reishi consumption
so that they can help you make informed health care decisions. It
has been reported that many people who choose herbal therapy
rely mostly on their family and friends for information. We
recommend that if you do choose herbal therapy, be sure to

4
consult a doctor with some basic knowledge in Chinese medicine
first.

As many of the medical applications described in this book

are, by definition, alternative, they have not been fully researched,
approved, nor endorsed by any government or regulatory agency
in the Western world. Accordingly, this book should not be
substituted for the advice and care of a physician or other licensed
health-care professional. Pregnant women, in particular, are urged
to consult a physician before commencing any therapy.
Ultimately, you must take full responsibility for your own health.
The authors and publisher disclaim any responsibility for how you
use the information in this book and any of the claims made herein.

5
 Contents

Foreword ..........................................................................................................................4

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Reishi ......................................................................9

Chapter 2 The Key Types of Reishi .......................................................................13

Chapter 3 Physical Characteristics and Chemical Composition of Red

Reishi..........................................................................................................17

Chapter 4 Body & Mind: Using Red Reishi to Improve Your Health.........21

Chapter 5 Health-Enhancing Applications of Red Reishi ............................23

Chapter 6 How Red Reishi can Improve Your Physical Appearance .......31

Chapter 7 On the Road to Better Health with Reishi.....................................33

Chapter 8 The Cultivation of Red Reishi ............................................................35

Chapter 9 Selecting the Right Reishi Product for You ..................................41

Chapter 10 Reishi Spores & Mycelium................................................................47

RESOURCES

Resources You can Use for More Information about Reishi..........................51

Bibliography ...................................................................................................................53
8
 Chapter 1

An Introduction to Reishi

In China, for over 2,000 years, the mushroom known as

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been called “God’s Herb”. Also
recognized by its Chinese name, Ling Zhi, Reishi’s reputation for
being effective in treating a wide range of ailments moved Chinese
Emperors throughout the various Dynasties to order servants to
search for wild Reishi mushrooms found atop distant mountains,
believing that the consumption of Reishi would grant them eternal
youth and enhanced health. Because of the mushroom’s remote
habitat and the scarcity of high-quality specimens, the use of Reishi
for medicinal purposes was reserved primarily for royalty and
wealthy individuals. It was not until the late 20th century, that this
once-rare plant, through diligent cultivation by the Japanese, was it
made widely available to the general public.

9
 Chapter 1

The original textbook of Oriental medical science, “Herbal

Pharmacopoeia”, was compiled by the founding father of Chinese
medicine, Shen Nong (Han Dynasty, 206 BC ~ 8 AD). In it, the
legendary herbalist-emperor documented 365 species of plants
and classified them into three categories: superior, average and
fair. These classifications were based on two main criteria: its
benefits, based on consumption on a continual basis, and side
effects. For those plants graded as “superior”, the power to
harmonize the functions of the body, mind and spirit and the range
of ailments they could treat were greater and broader than those of
weaker specimens. In addition, they had to have little or no long-
term side effects. Among the specimens in this class, Reishi was
ranked the highest in this classic medical text, even superior to the
well known ginseng.

In the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Ben Cao Gang

Mu), which contains hundreds of natural medicines the Chinese
have used for thousands of years, celebrated physician and
naturalist Li Shi Zhen (1518~1593) described the benefits of Reishi:

It benefits the life energy, or "qi" of the heart, repairing

the chest area and benefiting those with a knotted
and tight chest. Taken over a long period of time,
agility of the body will not cease, and the years are
lengthened to those of the Immortal Fairies.

10
 Chapter 1

Over the ages, Reishi has become ingrained in Oriental art

and culture because of its prestigious status in Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM). Since the first Chinese dynasty, paintings,
embroideries, buildings, and sculptures of the gods and immortals
have depicted Reishi as a symbol of divinity, longevity and good
fortune. Depictions of Reishi are displayed throughout the
Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing as a testimony to
its value, and the mushroom’s distinctive shape was a favorite
ornamental design feature used by royalty and the wealthy. Even
the traditional scepter of the emperors of China was a stylized
Reishi, called a "Ru Yi".

11
 Chapter 1

Reishi was further immortalized as the ultimate healing

substance and spiritual herb of China in the classic Chinese fairy
tale, "The White Snake", wherein a mystical heroine stole a magical
Reishi plant from the gods to save the life of her human lover. The
celestial battle for the Reishi rivaled the battles portrayed in
Homer's Iliad and is a story known by virtually every Chinese
person.

12
 Chapter 2

The Key Types of Reishi

Although there are more than 2000 known species of

Reishi, only six kinds have been studied in greater detail to uncover
potential health benefits – red, black, blue, white, yellow and
purple Reishi. Of these six types, black and red Reishi have
demonstrated the most significant health-enhancing effects, and
both are therefore widely used in the global health supplement
market today. However, red Reishi has been proven to be the most
effective in improving one’s overall health by enhancing the
immune system, many bodily functions, and vital organs.

Black Reishi (Ganoderma

Six types of Reishi mushrooms
sinensis), is fairly common and
can be found in most Chinese
herbal shops. This species of
Ganoderma tends to be
unevenly shaped and can
measure up to ten inches in
diameter, although most mature
specimens are about six inches in
diameter. The majority of Reishi
products that claim to be using
"wild" Reishi generally use black
Reishi. While it still possesses
some value as a moderate herbal

13
 Chapter 2

tonic, black Reishi is considered to be inferior to red Reishi because

of its lower polysaccharide content.

Wild purple Reishi grows in the Chang Bai Mountains,

north of North Korea in Jilin province of China. They are extremely
rare and very similar to red Reishi in appearance, but have a
significant purple coloration in the heart of the mushroom cap.
There has been limited research and testing on this type of Reishi,
due in large part to the scarcity of authentic purple Reishi
specimens.

It is the very high content of polysaccharides (complex

sugars) in red Reishi that makes it particularly potent. However,
due to harsh environmental conditions, the instability of wild red
Reishi in nature, and its vulnerability to pollution, disease, and
insect infestations, the number of high quality red Reishi specimens
that can reach full maturity in the wild is rare.

As a result, approximately
30 years ago, scientists and farmers
began experimenting with different
methods of domestic cultivation for
mass production. Since then, Dried fruit body of a kidney-shaped
Japanese producers in particular, red Reishi

14
 Chapter 2

have earned the reputation of growing the highest quality red

Reishi, thanks in part to strict regulations set by the Japanese
government to uphold quality and trade standards. The complex
cultivation process developed by Japanese scientists and farmers is
detailed further in Chapter 5 of this booklet.

Because of the extensive research conducted to

investigate the health benefits of red Reishi, and the proliferation of
red Reishi products in the marketplace, this booklet focuses
primarily on this specific kind of Reishi.

15
16
 Chapter 3

Physical Characteristics and Chemical

Composition of Red Reishi
Since mushrooms have become staples of a healthy diet,
much information has been gathered in the biological study of
fungi. The object of the following section is not to duplicate the in-
depth explanation of such studies, but rather to provide a general
description of the physical components of red Reishi fungi and its
chemical constituents.

The body of a red Reishi mushroom

consists of three main parts:

Cap
• a kidney-shaped cap
Stem
• the stem or shaft of the mushroom
Reishi
• spores

The stem of the plant draws the nutrients from the wood
on which it is growing. In nature, the mushroom flourishes mainly
on the dried trunks of dead plum, guercus serrata or pasonia trees,
while red Reishi cultivated in Japan is usually cultured by grafting
the Reishi fungi onto aged Japanese oak.

Just as "we are what we eat," the quality of a red Reishi

mushroom also depends heavily on the nutrients found in its
habitat. The quantity and quality of these nutrients determine the
size of the mushroom’s cap. As the red Reishi approaches maturity,

17
 Chapter 3

spores are produced and are

eventually released into the
air. Because of the hard outer
husks of these spores,
germination is next to
impossible, contributing to the
rarity of fully-grown red Reishi
mushrooms in the wild. Reishi crop 3 weeks before harvest

Red Reishi mushrooms are primarily composed of complex

carbohydrates called polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and
amino acids. Studies indicate that it is these polysaccharides, the
most active element found in red Reishi, that are responsible for

Structural analysis of anti-tumor polysaccharides
-(1 6) and
-(1 3)-D-glucan

18
 Chapter 3

strengthening the body’s immune system. Medical practitioners in

China and Japan have long used herbs like ginseng, brasenia and
astragalus – which all share red Reishi’s high polysaccharide
content – to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy suffered by
cancer patients.

In addition, ganoderic acids in red Reishi have also been

shown to help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting the
chemical mediators of inflammation, including histamine release.

Aside from the exceptionally high polysaccharide content,

no exclusive or unique ingredient has yet been identified in red
Reishi that can be credited for the mushroom’s remarkable health
enhancing abilities. It is more likely that the potency of the
mushroom lies in the combination of its chemical constituents – a
natural illustration of the idea that “the whole is more than the sum
of its parts”.

19
20
 Chapter 4

Body & Mind

Using Red Reishi to Improve Your Health
Perhaps red Reishi's greatest potential medical benefit is
its ability to strengthen the body's immune system. Consumption
of red Reishi is therefore considered preventive and immune
enhancing, rather than treatment of a specific disease.

Red Reishi is gaining credence as a potential example of

what the Royal Medical Society has termed an "adaptogen" - a
treatment concept that is said to help the body adapt to stresses of
various kinds; these stressors may be temperature, trauma, sleep
deprivation, exposure to toxins, radiation, infection, or
psychological stress. Like adaptogens, red Reishi shares the
properties of causing no side effects with regular consumption; it is
effective in dealing with a wide variety of illnesses; and it helps an
organism return to a normal and balanced state.

Furthermore, regular consumption of red Reishi can

significantly improve the functioning of the immune system. Red
Reishi acts as an immune modulator - a substance that regulates,
and fine-tunes the immune system. The primary responsibility of
the immune system is to detect pathogens such as viruses, bacteria
and other microbes that invade the body. Under normal
circumstances, an intact immune system is capable of detering
most of these organisms before it causes any damage. However, if
the immune system is compromised, viruses, bacteria, parasites

21
 Chapter 4

and fungi can proliferate and cause disease. Antibiotics, anti-viral

agents, and anti-fungal medications are the mainstay of current
therapy. Even though they can be effective, every treatment carries
a potential side effect. In addition, repeated use of these
medications can cause microbes to mutate and develop resistance.
Consuming red Reishi eliminates these problems.

Red Reishi is also gaining acceptance for its use as an

adjunct to combating the unpleasant side effects associated with
radiation and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

Authentic red Reishi products have also demonstrated

exceptional anti-stress properties that help improve memory, ease
tension, and sharpen concentration. Its potency is particularly
noteworthy in the treatment of degenerative diseases that affect
primarily the elderly, such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of
dementia.

22
 Chapter 5

Health-Enhancing Applications of Red Reishi

Throughout the ages, the consumption of red Reishi has

been linked to the treatment of a vast range of diseases, common
ailments, and conditions. From asthma to zoster, the applications of
red Reishi seem to be related to a multitude of body organs and
systems.

Although some product manufacturers use this

information as proof that red Reishi can be used to treat these
maladies directly, there is no sufficient medical evidence to support
this claim to date. However, most of the scientific research that has
been conducted appears to strongly support red Reishi’s role as a
normalizing substance - a nutritional supplement that can yield
medical benefits through its normalization and regulation of the
body’s organs and functions.

The previous chapter provided a general outline of the

overall benefits derived from the consumption of red Reishi. The
following is a list of specific conditions for which regular
consumption of red Reishi and products consisting of authentic red
Reishi extract has been shown to have some beneficial effects.
Please note that although many of the medical applications listed
below have been supported by researchers in both the medical and
nutritional science fields, the information below should be treated
as observations gathered over time based on individual cases, and

23
 Chapter 5

not a guarantee or endorsement of Reishi’s effectiveness. For

specific case reports or data, please consult a physician with an
expertise in Chinese medicine. Research studies and additional
information can be obtained through libraries or found on the
internet. You may also contact your local health organizations.

Conditions Related to Blood Circulation

It has been thought that red Reishi extract can reduce the
coagulation of blood by decreasing platelet aggregation (cells that
form clots), similar to aspirin. In addition, it is possible that it is able
to transform red blood cells, and make them more malleable to
travel through blood vessels at greater ease, reducing the chances
of clogging, which could lead to strokes and heart attacks.
Improved circulation is extremely important in diabetics, who
invariably develop small artery disease.

Heart Conditions
Several cardiovascular benefits have been demonstrated
from the regular consumption of red Reishi. These include:

• correction of some arrhythmias due to stress

• lowering of "BAD" LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides (another type of
blood fat)
• lowering of blood pressure - demonstrated in published human studies
• improved blood circulation, with all of the benefits outlined above.

24
 Chapter 5

Liver Disorders
The primary function of the
liver is to metabolize and detoxify
drugs and poisons.

In addition, it is where
cholesterol and certain proteins are
synthesized. Damage to the liver
can cause an accumulation of toxins and by-products in the body
that cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin), weight loss, fatigue, loss
of appetite, and many other maladies. Research has shown that red
Reishi has hepato (liver) protective properties. Regular
consumption of red Reishi may indeed rejuvenate the liver cells,
allowing it to perform its vital functions.

Digestive Disorders
Red Reishi consumption has also been shown to decrease
gastric acid, which, in excess, can lead to the formation of peptic
and gastric ulcers. It has also been shown to regulate bowel
movements, relieving symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, such
as that found in irritable bowel syndrome.

Lungs
Red Reishi has shown some benefits in those suffering

25
 Chapter 5

from asthma, chronic bronchitis, and common allergies. By

blocking the mediators of inflammation, symptoms of asthma can
be alleviated, and by boosting the immune system, colds and flu's
are reduced, leading to less exacerbations of asthma. Red Reishi
products have been used as an anti-tussive to suppress persistent
coughing, and it is used as an expectorant to loosen up secretions.
It is thought that red Reishi may even enhance the regeneration of
tracheal and small airway epithelium - particularly important in
patients who smoke and suffer from chronic bronchitis (smokers'
cough).

Kidney Regulation
The kidneys are responsible for maintaining the proper
balance of chemicals and elements such as sodium, potassium, and
other electrolytes in the body. It also filters the blood constantly
and maintains a constant acidity (pH) and molecular concentration.
Red Reishi may aid in the regulatory functions of the kidney.

Cancer
Cancerous cells are marked by their abnormal proliferation
of growth. While it is still unclear how normal cells become
cancerous, there has been some suggestion that it may be due to a
viral origin, or perhaps a change in the body's natural defense (the
immune system). Recently it has been thought that certain

26
 Chapter 5

individuals are genetically predisposed to cancer. Therefore it is

not surprising that as one ages and the immune system weakens,
one becomes more susceptible to certain forms of cancer.

Regular consumption of red Reishi has been shown to

stimulate the production of interferon and interleukins I and II,
potent natural anti-cancer substances produced in our body.
Furthermore, researchers claim that polysaccharides called Beta-
1,3-D-glucan and Beta-1,6-D-glucan have been shown to possess
powerful anti-tumor properties. These polysaccharides can also
activate macrophages, the essential immune cells in our body’s first
line of defense against microbial intruders such as viruses, bacteria
and yeast.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease of poor blood sugar regulation. There
are 2 types of diabetes. Type I is due to a lack of insulin production,
which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas - its function is to
regulate blood sugar. Type II is usually adult onset, and is due to
insulin resistance. This form is more commonly related to obesity,
poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. The mainstay of treatment for
diabetes is either insulin injections or oral medications, both of
which have its inherent side effects. Red Reishi has blood sugar
lowering properties, and can possibly help regulate glucose levels

27
 Chapter 5

in borderline Type II cases, without the side effects of medications.

Prostate Disease
As men age, there is a normal increase in the size of the
prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This can lead to
a decrease in the normal urinary outflow, frequent night-time
urination, and other prostate problems. In addition, advanced age
significantly increases the incidence of prostate cancer. The
prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is increased in both
conditions, and it is used to screen, detect, and monitor prostatic
disease, including prostate cancer treatment. There is evidence
that red Reishi, when combined with other herbs, can significantly
reduce Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels. The mechanism is
unknown, but it can occur as early as one month after treatment.

HIV Disease
Anti-HIV substances and protease inhibitors (a major class
of drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS) have been found in red Reishi
mushrooms. There is anecdotal evidence that it lowers the viral
load and increases the CD4 counts.

Summary
In conclusion, while medical research and individual case
studies have shown red Reishi to be effective in treating numerous

28
 Chapter 5

conditions and diseases, it is important to emphasize again that the

greatest proven benefit of regular red Reishi consumption is the
enhancement of your body’s overall health.

Through purification, improved blood flow, immune

modulation, detoxification, rejuvenation, and revitalization, red
Reishi can enhance the body's ability to combat a myriad of
diseases, particularly those that occur more frequently with
advanced age.

29
30
 Chapter 6

How Red Reishi can Improve Your

Physical Appearance
Obsesity can affect one's self confidence and have a
negative impact on one's self-image. In addition, it can lead to
diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Studies have found that
regular consumption of red Reishi helps the body cleanse itself of
accumulated toxins and excess lipids (fat).

In addition to regulating the body’s way of handling fat,

red Reishi products can also improve the condition of the skin. The
anti-aging properties of red Reishi may be related to improved
blood flow and increased delivery of nutrients to the skin. It may
also help in the reparation process of sun-damaged skin. People
who have taken Reishi regularly have noticed a decrease in pimples
(acne) and other blemishes.
Control acne Enchance
breakouts skin
complexion

Minimize fine lines

and
lighten age spots

31
 Chapter 6

Regular consumption of red Reishi also has a calming and

stress-reducing effect on the body, and appears to improve sleep
patterns, without the sedation commonly seen with medications. It
should be clear to the reader that these benefits combined, will
improve one's physical appearance.

Regular red Reishi intake combined with a healthy diet and

active lifestyle, can effectively facilitate your body’s return to a
normal, healthy state.

32
 Chapter 7

On the Road to Better Health with Red Reishi

If we do not actively maintain a healthy lifestyle, our

bodies will deteriorate, and we will gradually become accustomed
to this state of declining health. We may lose track of weight that
we have gained and not notice the decline in our natural well being
until a significant problem arises. It is thought that over time, an
inactive body accumulates toxins, and this contributes to the
deterioration of overall wellness.

Consuming a red Reishi product on a regular basis is

thought to clear some of these toxins. In the beginning, a user
may experience a “resetting” period, where his or her body will
exhibit signs of "cleansing". The excretion of accumulated poisons
and an increase in various metabolic activities are normal signs of
recovery and they indicate that the regulatory properties of red
Reishi are taking effect.

Common symptoms of "recovery" may include dizziness,

sore bones, skin irritation, change in bowel movements, including
diarrhea and constipation, and pimple-like blemishes appearing on
various parts of the body.

The time frame for these symptoms may vary from person
to person, but they generally last only a few days - until the body
adjusts to a higher state of wellness and becomes accustomed to

33
 Chapter 7

the regular intake of red Reishi. Daily consumption of large

amounts of water is recommended. It is important to point out
again that these physiological reactions are only temporary, unlike
side effects from medications.

Clogged blood vessels may impede blood flow

Steady blood flow of red blood cells

34
 Chapter 8

The Cultivation of Red Reishi

Research has shown that the health-enhancing properties

of Reishi are strongest when the plant is fully mature, a state that is
almost impossible to find in the wild due to the unstable
environmental conditions that exist in the natural habitat of red
Reishi plants.

As a result, the majority of red Reishi products on the

market today use mushrooms that have been cultivated in
hothouses. Cultivation of red Reishi originated in Gunma-Ken,
Japan, where the Mayuzumi family mastered the technique of
culturing Reishi on Japanese oak logs.

Wood pulp, wooden box, and natural wood log cultivation

are three common methods of cultivating the red Reishi plant. In
wood pulp cultivation, wood pulp is placed in a glass bottle and the
Reishi fungi are added. After three months, this growing method

Red Reishi
Red Reishi
Glass bottle Wood
log
Wood pulp Wood
box
Wood pulp
cultivation
method
Wooden box culitvation method

Wood pulp cultivation in glass or plastic Wood log cultivation in wood boxes
containers

35
 Chapter 8

will usually yield small The flow of natural wood log cultivation
Superior quality Red Reishi
mushrooms of relatively poor
quality. The second method, Cultivation
wood box cultivation, involves container Red Reishi
slices
grafting the fungi into a wooden
log that is then placed in a
Test tube
wooden box. Reishi of medium- Insert germinating
High grade
size and moderate quality are wood log fungi into holes

generally produced through this Drilling of

method after six months. small holes

Large red Reishi of Japanese woodlogs are drilled with

superior quality are most holes before mycelium are placed into it
commonly grown using the Greenhouse
natural wood log method, which
is the most complex form of
cultivation. The process begins
with the culturing of a high
Woodlogs are placed in greenhouses
quality Reishi fungus strain in test
for inoculation
tubes for about 85 days. The
germinating fungi are then
inserted into holes drilled into
selected high grade logs between
26 to 30 years old. These logs are
Inoculation period

36
 Chapter 8

then placed in a greenhouse and buried under nutrient-rich soil for

5 months. During this growth period, the Reishi fungi absorb
almost all of the nutrients from the soil. After five years of use, the
soil must lay dormant for 2 to 3 years to allow replenishment of
nutrients into the soil before it can be used again.

Growing conditions require continued monitoring to

ensure a high quality Reishi harvest. Temperature, humidity,
carbon dioxide, light intensity and nutrients are all closely
monitored to maintain optimum growth conditions. The
greenhouse is sprayed with moisture daily to stimulate growth and
Wood log with
germinating fungi reishi Nutrient-rich
soil

Reishi crops during growing period in greenhouses

37
 Chapter 8

maintain a humidity of 90 to 95%. This sprayed moisture is sanitized

to prevent the Reishi from being eroded by bacteria. Most Japanese
companies are required to follow strict agricultural safety
guidelines and abstain from the use of exotic pesticides.

The plants are grown for another 100 days until they
mature to their full size. Eventually, the mushrooms produce a
thick coating of spores and spraying is stopped when the
mushrooms release their spores into the air. Finally, the Reishi grow
for an additional two weeks before being harvested.

A healthy and mature red Reishi plant is distinguished by

its large size, thick cap and overall weight. Although Reishi
mushrooms grow larger with age, they are best harvested at the
height of maturity when they are fresh and moist inside; older
plants may be larger in size, but they are also usually too dry and
brittle to be effective.

To prepare Reishi for use in health products, the

mushrooms are cut into small pieces and boiled for two hours. This
process is repeated three times to completely extract the medicinal
properties of the red Reishi. The medicinal extract is prepared
using a low-temperature vacuum condenser and an air-sprayed
drier to transform it from a concentrated liquid form to a powder

38
 Chapter 8

state for transfer into capsules. Ambient temperature and moisture

are strictly controlled during the drying process to maximize
product effectiveness.

In summary, the effectiveness of a red Reishi plant in

enhancing one's health depends on four main criteria:

1) the quality of the plant's mother fungi;

2) the method of cultivation;
3) the growing conditions;
4) the harvest time.

Thus, it is clear that companies who use a more complex

method of Reishi cultivation like the natural wood log method are
more likely to satisfy these four criteria, and produce superior red
Reishi crops.

39
40
 Chapter 9

Selecting the Right Reishi Product for You

As with other natural supplements that serve as

preventative measures against degenerative diseases and
conditions, red Reishi products are most effective the sooner they
are included as part of your regular diet/vitamin program.

Although the impact of poor habits and diet on your

health can accumulate substantially over time, the positive benefits
of red Reishi are also cumulative. Thus, if you begin using Reishi in
your mid-thirties, you may strengthen your body and immune
system to better withstand the trials of time as you age.

There are a growing number of product choices every year

available to red Reishi consumers, and the variety of brands and
product forms can easily be overwhelming. Due to the growing
recognition that companies in Japan are producing exceptionally
high quality red Reishi products, there is a disturbing trend among
some manufacturers who misrepresent their products as being
produced in Japan, when they are actually produced in China or
North America, where there is little regulation of the red Reishi
industry.

A recent study in Choice magazine, published by the Hong

Kong Consumer Council*, aimed to help consumers choose the
best Reishi product by comparing the effectiveness of active

41
 Chapter 9

ingredients in 32 Reishi products

available in the marketplace.
The study determined that
polysaccharides were the most
important health-enhancing
ingredients in Reishi products. It
then compared the potency of
the 32 products based on their
polysaccharide content level. Choice magazine issue#286, published
According to the test results, a by the Hong Kong Consumer Council*
certain red Reishi product made in Japan had the highest amount
of polysaccharides amongst all the test products at 29.7%, while
other Reishi products had as little as a 0.06% polysaccharide
content level.

* The Consumer Council was established in April 1974 in Hong Kong. The function of the
Council is to protect and promote the interests of consumers of goods and services and
purchasers of immovable property. Some objectives of the Council are to conduct tests,
surveys and research for the evaluation of goods and services to users; promote public
awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities through publicity and media campaigns;
and publish a monthly magazine “Choice” for the provision of independent and objective
consumer information.

42
 Chapter 9

The magazine also mentioned a study that compared

boiling the red Reishi slices themselves to prepare tonics for
consumption versus the commercially-made product. The study
team used 15 grams of red Reishi slices and boiled them in 300 cc
(about one bowl) of water for an hour. The analysis showed that
the amount of polysaccharide extracted was about 0.068 grams,
and the study concluded that this boiling method by the consumer
is labour intensive and actually more expensive than consuming
ready-made industrially processed Reishi products.

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 Chapter 9

What to Look for in Reishi Products

Here are some important factors to consider in your search for the
most effective and safest red Reishi product:

The amount of polysaccharides contained in the product

Since the polysaccharides has been identified by
researchers as being the most active health-enhancing ingredient
in red Reishi, you should choose a product with the highest
polysaccharide content for greater potency.

The reputation of the brand name and product history

The art of Reishi cultivation has been developed and
refined over the course of thirty years, and many of the leading
Reishi product manufacturers were at the forefront of the research
and development involved in creating the best cultivation method
to yield the highest quality Reishi. You should therefore invest
some time in researching a company’s website or background
carefully before purchasing its products.

The manufacturer’s country of origin

While red Reishi cultivation is now possible around the
world, companies in Japan are still regarded as producers of
premium red Reishi because of strict government regulation of the

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industry. Some unscrupulous companies have tried to capitalize

on this by designing their product packaging to appear to be of
Japanese origin - one should be wary of a product that does not list
the name and address of its manufacturer.

Tips for Improving Your Diet While Using Red Reishi

In addition to using red Reishi products on a regular basis, you can

also greatly improve your overall health by altering your diet.
Nutritionists recommend the following:

• Refrain from using refined sugar. Substitute with pure

honey, or fruit sugar instead.
• Avoid processed foods (e.g. canned foods, instant noodles,
soda pop, etc.)
• Eat a healthy mix of natural foods from each food group to
maintain your nutritional balance.
Include all types of vegetables in your diet, especially those
with stalks and roots.
• Drink more water. Try to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
This will prevent cellular dehydration and enhance your
metabolic functions to rid your body of poisonous waste.

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 Chapter 10

Reishi Spores & Mycelium

The effectiveness of using the fruiting body of red Reishi

mushrooms in health supplements has made many companies
eager to exploit other aspects of the Reishi mushroom for use in
health products.

Recently, there has been much debate about the issue of

whether supplements prepared by extracting oil from Reishi spores
have more medicinal value than traditional red Reishi products. In
the past, the oxidation of Reishi oil was shown to create an
unpleasant odor and become harmful to human cells. However,
current marketers of these Reishi spore oil products claim to have
perfected the technology of cracking the spores and preventing
the lipid oil collected from being spoiled by oxidation.

The Hong Kong Consumer Council's Choice magazine has

thus far declined to comment on the medical efficacy of Reishi

Reishi spore Cracked spore

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spore byproducts, stating that consumers should wait for more

scientific research and clinical studies on these products before
making a decision.

Mycelium

Another recent trend in

the Reishi industry is the use of
mycelium in place of mature
Reishi mushroom extract in
certain products. Mycelium is the
stage between the spore and the
mature mushroom in the Reishi
life cycle. Reishi mycelium
products are typically produced Reishi mycelia
by mixing a small amount of mycelium with sterilized soybeans,
rice, or other grains in a water slurry. The resulting mixture is then
dried and ground into a powder for use in tablets or capsules.

While mycelium may possess some health-enhancing

properties, specialists point out that all the research conducted
thus far has centered on the various health benefits provided by
the Reishi mushroom itself, and not the mycelium. Therefore,
similar to the situation concerning spore oil products, there is

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currently insufficient evidence to support the claim that mycelium-

based products can yield the same benefits as products made with
the red Reishi's fruiting body.

While mycelium use has become prevalent in North

America, the lack of time-tested cultivation techniques for the
substance has resulted in most mycelium cultivation to take place
in greenhouses, using nutrients of less-than-optimum quality.
Growing Reishi mycelium in vats of grain slurry is considerably
faster and cheaper than taking the Reishi mycelium through the
next stage of growth to produce natural mature mushrooms. In
contrast, growing mature Reishi mushrooms from mycelium
requires 6 to 8 additional months in large, shaded greenhouses
equipped with sophisticated sterility, temperature, and humidity
controls. Many producers find the additional cost and time
necessary to organically cultivate the Reishi to maturity by this
method too costly, and opt for the cheaper vat method, which may
dilute the mycelium's potency, if any.

Although this cost-cutting practice is widely accepted in

America, it is looked upon with disdain in China and Japan; to this
day, companies in both countries where Reishi use has the longest
history refuse to use mycelium in health products.

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Consumers who are interested in using products derived

from either Reishi spore oil or mycelium are advised to carefully
research these topics, and consult a qualified health care
professional before consuming any such products.

50
 Resources

Resources You Can Use for More Information

about Reishi
Japan Reishi Association

The Japan Reishi Association (JRA) is an international non-

profit organization supported by industry leaders dedicated to
helping growers and manufacturers maintain the highest
standards of product quality and business practices in the Reishi
industry worldwide.

The Japan Reishi Association’s primary goal is to inform

the general public about Reishi, Reishi-related health food
products, and product manufacturers. In addition, the JRA is also
committed to holding manufacturers and marketers of Reishi
products accountable for claims of Japanese origin. To this end, the
JRA strives to set and aid in the enforcement of industry standards
for product quality and ethical business practices by working
together with authentic Reishi product manufacturers in Japan and
international government organizations to alert the public about
products and manufacturers that fail to meet these standards.

If you have any questions about a Reishi product or

manufacturer (such as the authenticity of a specific product you
have purchased), you can contact the Japan Reishi Association at
info@japan-Reishi.org or by calling their toll-free number at 1-866-
J-REISHI (1-866-573-4744).

51
 Resources

For a list of resources with more information about Reishi products,

clinical trials, and the latest industry news, visit the JRA website at
www.japan-reishi.org or www.reishi.com

52
 Resources

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